Treaty of Winchester (1153)- signed between factions of Matilda and Stephen- established hereditary principle
for monarchy- declared Matilda’s son, Henry of Anjou, man with the
best hereditary claim

Henry II (1154-89)- French possessions exceeded those of French monarch- son of Jeffrey of Anjou; husband of Eleanor
of Acquitane- developed system of government that could function
without king(son Richard I (1189-99) spent only five months of reign
in England)- restored public order destroyed
castles erected without royal permission 1166 Assize
of Clarendon introduced grand jury
royal court in each shire heard indictments and judged offenders
individuals encouraged to bring civil cases to Court of Common Pleas
itinerant justices brought king’s justice to the people
feudal holders of courts often resented the royal extension of justice 1170 Inquest
of Sheriffs
sheriffs dismissed and replaced by officials trained in Exchequer 1164 Constitutions
of Clarendon
no judicial appeals to Rome
bishops and abbots to do homage to king before consecration
clerks convicted in ecclesiastical courts subject to royal punishment

Church v. State- Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas
Becket, denounced Constitutions of Clarendon- 1170 Becket murdered by four of Henry’s knights- Henry forced to do penance and renounce royal jurisdiction
over criminal clerics

King v. Lords- Richard I (1189-99)
spent most of reign in Holy Land campaigns
supported by taxes on land and movables and feudal aids sheriffdoms
sold to highest bidder (story of London)- John (1199-1216)
managed to lose much of Northern France (including Normandy) to the French
king feudal custom
of scutage turned into a regular tax (eleven in fifteen years) sold wardships
for outrageous fees raised price
of customary feudal dues 1215 barons
revolted and forced John to sign Magna Carta
limited abuse of feudal practices
defined vague feudal relationships
forbade king from raising customary fees and rents- Successive kings granted money in return for confirmations
of Magna Carta (principle of consent to taxation eventually developed)- Henry III (1216-72)
inherited as child; first real test of primogeniture affairs while
minor dealt with by barons in council 1227 announced
he would chose own officials 1258 Henry
made alliance with Pope against the Germans in Italy
his son would be King of Sicily,
barons forced Henry to concede Provisions of Oxford
national affairs into hands of Council of fifteen nobles (earls)
controlled by assembly (parliament) of twelve barons
sheriffs to be local men of property,
appointed annually and paid salary by kingN.B. First real constitutional document in English history
- supplied machinery for conduct of central government

Origins of Parliament- Edward I(1272-1307) gave lords more secure control over lands and more
disciplinary power over officials military policies
were expensive
1290 on at war in Wales, in Scotland, in Flanders
need for money and political support led to development of parliament- Beginning in 1240's judges postponed difficult law
cases to law terms could discuss
colleagues and royal council parliaments
(discussions) took place three to four times per year citizens took
advantage of meetings to petition king for justice kings used
sessions to advantage
summoned representatives from shires to consent to taxation
first such summons issued by Henry III in 1254
Edward and advisors developed writ of summons
(bound communities to act on promises of representatives)

King, Lords, and Commons- Edward II (1307-27)
was disaster as king 1327 magnates
deposed and murdered him replaced him
with fifteen-year old son- Edward III (1327-77)
led nobility against French in Hundred Years War English victories
at Crecy and capture of Calais brought loot and ransoms great expansion
in woolen cloth trade (tax on wool
paid for military expenses)- Richard II (1377-99)
inherited throne as child 1379 advisors
recommended poll taxes in 1379 led to Peasants’
Revolt of 1381 king later
resorted to forced loans demanded sealed
"blank charters" from offenders disinherited
Henry, Duke of Lancaster, son of John of Gaunt 1399 Henry
forcibly recovered lands, dethroned Richard II, and proclaimed
himself Henry IVDominant ThemesWho should run the government?Who should pay for it?